The chief executive of Channel 4 has defended the television network, saying it isn't left-wing, as the Culture Secretary considers privatising it.
Channel 4, launched in 1982, is a Government-owned but commercially funded public service broadcaster, with a remit to broadcast ‘diverse, alternative and challenging programming that appeals to a younger audience’.
And earlier this year, the Government launched a bid to privatise Channel 4 in an effort to address the network's poor financial performance.
Though some have argued that the move has also been made over the channel's alleged 'woke' agenda or its alleged left-wing bias.
The chief executive of Channel 4, Alex Mahon (pictured) has defended the television network, saying it isn't left-wing, as Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries considers privatising it
Now though, Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, has spoken out in defence of the TV network.
Speaking to The Telegraph, she said that she doesn't believe Channel 4 is a left-wing organisation, and instead, it simply has a focus on younger viewers.
Mahon, who has headed the channel for four years and earned £991,000 in her role last year, told the paper: 'Ultimately, we are an organisation that is set up to represent the underrepresented. That has traditionally meant minorities. It has meant LGBT and minority ethnic communities.
'If you do that, you are always going to be accused of being liberal. But that is how Channel 4 has always been, and that is part of its natural makeup.'
There have been tensions present between Channel 4 and the Government in recent years, with Channel 4 having replaced Boris Johnson with a block of ice during a clime change debate after he declined an invitation.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport launched a consultation on privatising Channel 4 earlier this year. Pictured: Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries
And veteran newsreader Jon Snow allegedly chanted 'f**k the Tories' while at Glastonbury in 2017.
However, Mahon said she believes the Government is conducting a legitimate consultation that isn't based off of any agenda focused on individual events or programmes.
At present, Channel is entirely funded through its sales of advertising - and helped occasionally by production of original films.
And this year, Channel 4 is expected to see £1.2billion in turnover - a rise of 24 per cent on the previous record set in 2010.
And of this, the network's profit is set to breach the £100million mark for the very first time.
Mahon also said that any cuts that would have to be made if Channel 4 were to be privatised would likely come at the expense of work being done alongside smaller regional production companies.
The Government wants to privatise Channel Four, whose programmes include its news show
It comes after a report by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee which said that the Government should have waited to consult on the future of Channel 4 until they had set out a vision for public service broadcasting.
The report, published in November, says the Government did not 'take the
